US Troops Deploy 7,600 to Deter Migrants at Mexico Border

President Donald Trump's emergency declaration has significantly increased the U.S. military presence along the southern border, with troop deployments tripling to 7,600 personnel from all branches. Army units now play a central role in deterring migrant crossings outside official ports of entry, operating from a new command center in southern Arizona that coordinates military camps and movements along the nearly 2,000-mile border. Despite the heightened military presence, attempts to cross illegally have plummeted, and Trump has authorized funding for 3,000 additional Border Patrol agents offering $10,000 signing and retention bonuses. The military's involvement marks a shift from previous border enforcement, which was primarily handled by civilian law enforcement, with the designation of large swaths of the border as militarized zones empowering troops to apprehend trespassers and impose additional criminal charges. Soldiers like Army Sgt. Ana Harker-Molina, an immigrant and U.S. citizen, express pride in their deterrence efforts, though they describe the work as often monotonous due to sporadic sightings. Overall, the military presence serves as both a physical and psychological deterrent, reinforcing border security under the Trump administration's policies.